There is uncertainty over demolishing the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) building, which was constructed illegally in Dhaka’s Hatirjheel.
Chattogram based contractor agency, Four Star, which was given the duty to demolish it said the work is not possible with the Tk 15.5 million budget.
This is because when they had submitted the cost, the building had many saleable items (lifts, generators) but since they have been removed, the agency will not be able to recover the cost mentioned in the tender.
Manager of Star Enterprise, Naserullah Khan Rashed, said: “The building cannot be demolished with the price stated at the tender and more money will be needed.”
He is expected to brief the media on the matter on Nov 6 and hoped that RAJUK chairman would take the matter positively.
On Oct 21, Rajuk said that the work to demolish the building will begin next week and gave time to remove all items but BGMEA asked for more time which was extended till Nov 5.
But the contractor agency is saying that valuable items have been taken by BGMEA and being sold in the open market, and now, the building has been denuded and they will not be able to recoup the cost.
In a letter to RAJUK they said that they will inspect the building again and will begin demolishing once they are satisfied. If not, then RAJUK will have to look for another contractor.
The process to break down the building began on Apr 16; a paper in 2010 mentioned that the BGMEA building did not have any approval; the high court then issued a ruling asking why it should not be demolished. Then, on Apr 3, 2011, a high court bench led by justice A H Shahabuddin Chowdhury ordered the building to be pulled down. While BGMEA asked for time extensions, last year, on Apr 3, the court gave a time limit of one year which ended on Apr 12, 2019.